Leftover Turkey Scramble

I have an entire menu to post from Thanksgiving. I managed to keep it entirely Paleo and it was delightful. I really didn't miss any of items I omitted because the rest was so good! That said, I still have a refrigerator full of turkey and you probably do as well. I made a great breakfast scramble with it. Here's what it takes to serve 4.

Ingredients:

4 oz roasted turkey breast, chopped
8 eggs, beaten
2 TBSP green onions, chopped
2 TBSP olive oil
4 oz mushrooms, sliced
4 slices bacon
1 cup raw spinach
Sea salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

Method:

Pan fry bacon until almost crisp. Blot with paper towel to remove grease and coarsely chop. Pour out bacon grease and add olive oil to pan. Saute turkey, green onions, mushrooms, and spinach until spinach and mushrooms are wilted. Remove from pan, set aside. Pour eggs into pan and scramble. Just before they are done, add in all remaining ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.

Spiced Zucchini with Bacon and Walnuts

Another experimental recipe that turned out pretty well. Next time I make it, I will add onions and possibly replace the garlic powder with fresh chopped garlic. Just a couple suggestions!

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini, sliced
4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
1/4 Cup walnuts
1 TBSP olive oil
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Method:

In medium skillet, over medium heat, cook bacon to your liking (I made mine almost crisp). Meanwhile, combine all spices in small bowl. In mixing bowl, combine zucchini and walnuts and coat with olive oil. Then coat evenly with mixed spices. Once bacon is done, add in zucchini, walnuts, and spices and saute until zucchini is soft.

Robb Wolf's NorCal Margarita

Recipe and info taken from The Paleo Solution, by Robb Wolf.

Ingredients:

2 shots of 100% agave tequila
Juice and pulp from one lime
Ice
Soda Water, to taste

Method:

Mix tequila and lime juice/pulp. Add in ice and shake it like a polaroid picture. Top it off with a splash of soda water; or more than a splash if you need to dilute it down a bit. Enjoy!

Reasons why this drink rocks:

1. Agave Tequila is delicous.
2. Tequila is fermented agave juice. This means it is gluten and starch-free. Gluten and starch = bad. Gut irritant; causes inflammation. None of us should touch the stuff.
3. Lime juice blunts the insulin response of the alcohol, maintaining your precious and hard-earned insulin sensitivity.
The lime juice also provides a net alkaline load when it gets to the blood stream, which is a good thing. Most other foods provide a net acid load, and it’s nice to balance that out.
4. The carbon dioxide bubbles in the soda water help get the ethanol into your blood more quickly. This has the practical effect of allowing you to drink a bit less for the same effect.

Bomb-diggity Chicken

This recipe was taken from Crossfit Verve's website. They borrowed it and modified it from Everyday Paleo. It's super easy and absolutely de-lish, so I'm calling it the bomb-diggity. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

One whole chicken or 5 lbs of chicken breast (I used boneless, skinless chicken breast)
1 cup chicken broth
1 white onion, sliced
1 tsp paprika (I modified to 2 tsp because I heart paprika)
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder

Method:

Mix all spices thoroughly. Rinse and pat chicken dry and rub on all sides until completely coated. Lay the onions on the bottom of a large Crock Pot. Place spiced chicken on onions and cover with broth. Set the Crock Pot on low for 5-6 hours and Viola!, Bomb-diggity Chicken.

Pairs nicely with one or five NorCal Margaritas. Recipe to follow.

Chicken Soup For The Primal Soul

Fall has officially fell and so have the temperatures. I hate being cold. I sat in my office today with my coat and scarf on. I think management is trying to save money by refusing to heat the building. Regardless, all I could think about was something to warm me up and what does that better than homemade chicken soup?

Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" cubes
2 small zucchini, halved and sliced
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 can diced tomatos
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
4 TBSP minced garlic
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
sea salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
red pepper flakes if you want to add some spice

Method:

Combine all ingredients in large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 hour minimum.

*NOTE* This can also be made in the Crock pot. Just set pot to low and cook 8 hours.

Hearty Paleo Beef Stew

In came the cold weather and my need for a warm, hearty meal. I love beef stew and figured it would be pretty easy to make a Paleo version. I decided to make it in the crock pot and let it simmer overnight and it was delicious! I hope you enjoy!

Hearty Paleo Beef Stew

Ingredients:

2 lbs stewing beef or roast cut into 1" cubes
1 rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1/2 " cubes
5-6 stalks of celery
1 cup baby carrots, whole
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 head of garlic, peeled (I left the cloves whole, but you could chop if you prefer)
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups beef stock/broth (low sodium)
1/2 cup red wine
1 can tomato paste
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp tarragon
1/2 tbsp thyme
1/2 tbsp black pepper
sea salt to taste
2 cups boiling water

Method:

Chop meat and vegetables and place in large Crock Pot.

Boil water and add tomato paste and spices (hold the salt) until well blended. Pour over meat and veggies.

Add in beef broth, wine, bay leaves and garlic.

Pour remaining bottle of wine in two large glasses and consume.

Turn Crock Pot on low and cook 8 hours.

I recommend only using the sea salt on a per serving basis as needed.

I fell off the wagon...and was run over by the one behind it.

Last weekend marked my first solo CrossFit competition. It was an absolute blast and I loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, however, I chose to celebrate my accomplishments immediately following the competition by indulging in a few glasses (or bottles) of wine and, worst of all, glorious nachos and dark chocolate m&m's. Look, I'm no food Nazi. I'm all for having the occasional cheat meal to remind your taste buds of all the flavors you have forgotten in your diligent work to eat healthily. The problem for me is that once I get started, I cannot stop. I have eaten more left over Halloween candy, french fries, cheeseburgers, and even rice crispy treats in the past two days than I have in my entire life. And now I'm feeling guilty and gross.

So, today I am jumping back on the Paleo wagon and I'm strapping in tight; back down the road towards health.

Pico de Gallo a.k.a. Salsa Fresca a.k.a. A Little Bit of Deliciousness

This recipe has been on the site for some time, but it was held captive under another recipe and, clearly, not visible enough. Today it gets promoted and has a link dedicated solely to its greatness.
Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:

2 large, ripe, red tomoto (or 4-5 small roma tomatoes)
1/2 yellow or white onion
1-2 jalepenos, chopped
Chopped fresh cilantro, to taste
1/2 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp course sea salt, or to taste

Method:

Chop tomato and remove seeds and pulp. Finely chop onion, jalepenos (remove seeds to minimize heat), and cilantro. Mix all ingredients and enjoy!

Spiced Pecan Butter

This recipe came about because I was trying to make a creative pecan crust for a pumpkin pie. This butter was too sticky to make a crust, but I licked my finger and realized it was amazing. Love those recipes that come from mistakes! This would be amazing with apple slices!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 C pecans
4 large pitted dates
2 TBSP Almond Butter
1/3 C water
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves

Method:

Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth. Serve with your favorite veggies or fruit.

Ugh: My Culinary Hiatus

Sorry folks. It's not that I've been away from the kitchen; it's that the last three recipes I've made have been complete flops. Total disappointment. Keep your fingers crossed that tonight's creation will earn blog status and I can give you something worth eating!